A tin of tomatoes is the king of the pantry. It's a lifesaver when 5pm rolls around and you're still not certain what you're making for dinner. Add a truckload of spices and some other pantry staples and you've got yourself a bowl of . Or dial down the spice, add some herbs and garlic and enjoy instead.
Whether you like some heat or prefer things cool, the convenience of tinned tomatoes delivers. All of these recipes prove the point but don't be shy to experiment by subbing out fresh tomatoes for the canned variety in any dish you find. We won't tell if you don't.
Make it soup
Add a few key ingredients to a tin of chopped tomatoes and a nourishing dinner is good to go.
Red mullet, prawns and haddock all pair perfectly with the big tomato flavours in this soup. Source: Haarala Hamilton / Bloomsbury
Freeze a batch of this soup for challenging days. Source: Benito Martin
Filling, moreish, dreamy. Source: Louise Franc
You'll make way more Berbere spice mix than you need for the recipe and be very grateful for the fact. Source: Louise Franc
Make it pasta
Italians have a long love affair with tomatoes and fresh isn't always the best.
This classic Italian dish is confirmation that the simple things in life are often the best (and even better if you know a few tricks!). Source: SBS Food
Add a little turmeric to your red sauce to add depth and create vibrancy. Source: Kitti Gould
Ragù is the traditional Sunday lunch for most southern Italian families: the tomato sauce dresses the pasta and the meat is served as a main course. Source: Tammi Kwok
Make it spicy
Tomatoes can handle all the spice you want to throw at them and still stand proud.
Jambalaya is a one-pan classic from Louisiana. Source: Adam Liaw
Come on in, the dahl is fine. Source: Mary Makes It Easy
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Lamb bhuna
This one-pot Middle Eastern favourite hits the spot any time of day. Source: Savannah van der Niet
Sopa seca translates to 'dry soup' in English, but this unique dish is no more a soup than it is an Italian pasta. Source: Hardie Grant Books
A rich tomato gravy that's spicy yet sweet makes this an incredibly tasty dish. Source: China Squirrel
Make it mild
While they are so often paired with spices, tomatoes are also responsible for some of the world's most child-soothing dishes imaginable. Works for grown-ups, too.
This is a great family-friendly meal for any night of the week. Source: Adam Liaw
The perfect ratatouille brims with summer vegetables – eggplant, zucchini, capsicum and tomato. Source: Benito Martin
A tomatoey-lamb mince topped with potatoes was always going to work. Source: Michele Curtis
For everything that ails you. Source: Paola Bacchia
Can do
Moussaka
